Buckle



Sept. 1a, 1928.

' H. P. BALTZER BUCKLE Filed Dec. 13, 1927 Ml- W ATTOR/VEKS Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,684,786 PATENT OFFICE-LL HENRY r. BALTZER, or HAMBURG, NEW YORK.

' BUC LE.

Application filed December 13, 1927. Serial No. 239,686.

in accordance with the s JZLCiD between said holes. It is necessary at times, however, to provide a relatively tine adjustment between the connected straps or other parts, which would be less than the distance between two adjacent apertures, and could therefore not be effected by changing the buckle from one aperture to another.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a buckle for connecting two spaced parts, which in addition to permitting a primary adjustment as above clescribed,\vill also permit a fine adjustment, for example, for any amount less than the distance between two of said apertures, without disturbing the original primary adjustment or relation between the buckle and said apertured part also to construct an adjustable buckle to be secured on one of said parts to be connected, and which has a frame or member to which the other part is connected; and means for effect ing relatively slight movements of said frame memoer and its attached part towardsbr from said other part; also toprovide an ad justable buckle in which said frame is swivell'ed to permit relative turning movements between said parts; also to provide an adjustable buckle for the purpose described which is of relatively simple construction and .inexpensive to produce and whichnevertheless is strong and sturdy, adapted for long use i and will not readily get out of order; also to improve the construction of buckles in the other respects hereinafter set forth and claimed. i

The buckle of ticularly adapted for connecting the'two strap ends or parts of a truss to be worn about the body, to provide varying fine adjustments from time to time and independently of the primary v or approximate initial adjustment made in accordance with the girth of the wearer. The buckle, however, can be used with advantage for many other purposes.

In the accompanying drawings:

F g. 1 is a face or plan view of two strap "apertures 13.

of rectangular form,

the present invention is parends or parts, connected by means of a-buckle embodying my invention.

F 2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with a portion of one of the straps broken aWay't-o disclose the underlying parts. 1

Fig; 4 is a longitudinal section thereof, on l1nei4i, 1, one of the straps being shown in broken lines.

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevationof a part of the buckle, showing the end of a placed into operative re tion Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a slightly inoditie-d form of buckle.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in section, of another modified form of buckle.

In the embodiment of the, invention illustrated in Figs. 1-5 of the drawings, the improved buckle 10 is shown as connecting the end portions of two fieiziblestraps or parts 11 and 12; The strap 12 is provided With the usual longitudinal series of 'spaced holes or Thebuckle 10 comprises a fitting or'attachng portion 14i,of any suitable form adapting it to be secured to the end of the strap 11., *In

the form illustrated, the fitting is of U-shape,

the spaced legs 15.of which extend lengthwise of and straddle said end and are secured thereto, as by rive-ts or other fastenings'ltl.

A. frame or holding member 18, preferably j I is disposed in spaced relation to the fitting 14, and is adapted to receive and hold the apertured end of the other strap 12, which is passed through the opening in said frame and bears against a transverse bar or part 19 thereof. The opposite transverse bar 20 of said frame is connected to the outer end portion of a stem or elongated member 2 carried by and extend l g from the fitting 14, said stem 22 being preferably arranged in hole 23 in said bar, and having an enla 'zment or shoulder 2 L agains" which said bar abuts to hold the frame in position. The free end or portion of the stem. 2?. which is remote from the fitting 14 or is disposed outwardly beyond theshoulder 2 1-, is pr t'e-rably made In the form of a prong E25, whiehconst' tes the it we of the buckle. This n'ong isakiliapted, w.- the strap 12 is passed through the frame 18,'to enter any one of the holes 13in said strap for holding the strap in desired relation tosaid frame in the usual manner. thus providing a coarse or approximate adjustment for varying the relallU tion'of the straps 11 and 12 in accordance with the spacing of said holes 13.

ing and affecting the accuracy of the adjust- The stem or member 22, however, is adjustably attached to the fitting 14 for lengthwise movements relatively thereto for adjusting the frame 18 towards and from the fitting 14, thus changing the relation of the strips 11 and 12 independently of and without disturbing the previously made connection between the strap 12 and frame 18. For this purpose the stem is threaded, as shown, the threaded portion being received in a correspondingly threaded recess 26 formed in the fitting 14. By turning the stem about its longitudinal axis it can be retracted into or projected outwardly relatively to the fitting 14, and the frame 18 and its attached strap or part 12 moved towards or from the end of the other strap 11. preferably largeenough to permit the stem to turn freely therein while the frame is held from turning by the strap 12. The size of the hole 23 also permits the frame 18 to swing to a limited extent on the stem 22, as shown in Fig. to allow the strap or part 12 to be easily inserted or removed.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the prong 25.

extends in a somewhat angular relation to the axis of the stem 22, in a manner to lie in a plane substantially parallel with the sides of the frame 18. By this construction the prong, after the stem has been adjusted, will lie against the cross bar 19 of said frame in a J manner to prevent the stem from accidentally turning and thus placing the buckle out of adj ustment. V e If desired, the fitting 14 can be provided with a pivoted or otherwise attached loop 29 for the reception of the free end of the strap 12.

Obviously, for some uses, the buckle can be provided with the longitudinally adjustable stem or member having the strap 12 attached directly thereto or to a rigid loop or frame thereon, or, as an alternative, the

frame may be swivelled on a fixed projection or part on the strap 11. This latter feature is shown in Fig. 6, wherein 30 represents a member or fitting secured to a suitable part 31, said member having a projection 32 thereon, upon which is swivelled a frame or loop 33 to which a strap or part 34 is secured. This arrangement permits the strap 34 to lie in planes at an angle to the part 31, thus proriding a buckle adapted for use on harness or the like. j e

By the use of the adjustable buckle, one of the straps or other parts to be adjusted is placed in approximately therequired relation to the other part by passing said strap or part through the frame 18 and inserting the prong 25 in the nearest hole 13 that will permit such approximate adjustment. Then by merely rotating the stem 22 the required The hole 23 in the frame 18 is amount, an additional fine adjustment can be easily and quickly made.

Another desirable form of the adjustable buckle is shown in Fig. 7. This buckle comprises a fitting or member 40 substantially like the fitting 15 of Figs. 1-5, attached to the end of a strap or other member 41. The member also has apivoted loop 42. Operatively engaging in and having lengthwise movements relatively to the fitting 40 is a threaded adjusting member or stem 43, "the free end portion of which, instead of having a frame attached thereto, is provided with a fixed lateral projection 44 terminating in a head or enlargement 45. This projection is adapted to'engage in one of a series of holes I 46 in a strap or other part 47 for adjustable connection to the strap 4-1. Theholes 46 have enlarged portions 48 through which the head. 45 can pass, and reduced portions into t which the shank of the projection 44 fits, and

is retained by said head. By passing the end of the strap through the loop 42 after the projection has been placed in the desired hole 46, the strap 47 is held in place, as long as a pull is exerted in opposite directions on said straps. lVhen it is desired to make a fine adjustment between said straps, the strap 47 is bent as shown in broken lines, Without dis connecting the ad usting member therefrom,

thus leaving the pro ection 44 free for rotation for effecting the required lengthwise movement of the stem.

Claims '1. A buckle for connecting two spaced parts, comprising a fitting attached to one of said parts, a frame to which the other part maybe detachably secured, and a member extending from said fitting and on which said frame is rotatably connected to turn transversely about the same to permit said part se .cured thereto to turn in a like manner relaspaced parts, comprising a fitting attached to one of said parts, a member on said fitting extendin towards said other part, and a frame swivelled on said member and to which said other part is secured, said member being adjustably secured on said fitting so .as to permit said frame to be'shiftedtowards and from said fitting to vary the distancebetween said spaced parts. 7

4. An adjustable buckle for connecting 7 fitting to move relatively thereto in the direction of the length of said stem, whereby said frame can be adjusted towards andfrom said fitting to vary the distance between said spaced parts by approximate adjustments of said stem. 7

5. An adjustable buckle for connecting two spaced parts, comprising a :fitting at-,

tached to one of said parts, a stem on said fitting extending lengthwise towards said other part, and a frame swivelled on said stem and to which said other part is secured, said stem being threaded in a lengthwise direction and engaging in a threaded hole in said fitting, whereby, by turning said stein in one direction or another, said frame can be adjusted towards and from said fitting to vary the distance bet-ween said spaced parts.

6. An adjustable buckle for connecting two spaced parts, comprising a fitting at tached to one of said parts, a stem on said fitting extending lengthwise towards said other part, a frame swivelled on said stem, said last mentioned part having a series of spaced holes, and a tongue on said stem engageable in any one of said holes for connecting said part to said frame and affording an approximate adjustment between said parts, said stem being adjustably mounted on said fitting to move relatively thereto in the direction of the length of said stem, whereby said frame can be adjusted towards and from said fitting to provide a, secondary adjustment between said spaced parts. i

7. An adjustable buckle for connecting two strips of material, one of which is provided with a longitudinal row of spaced apertures, a fitting attached to one of said strips, a stem on said fitting extending towards said other strip, a frame swivelled on said stem, a tongue on said stem extending into any one of said apertures in said apertured strip to adjust the latter relatively to said other strip and hold the same in fixed relation to said frame, and a loop attached to said fitting for the reception of the free end of said apertured strip.

8. An adjustable buckle for; connecting two spaced parts, comprising a fitting attached to one of said parts, a stem on said fitting extending lengthwise towards said other part and to which said other part is' secured, said stem being adjustably mounted on said fitting to move relatively thereto in the direction of the length of said stem, whereby said second part can be shiftedtowards and from said first part by appropriate adjustments of said stem.

9. An adjustable buckle for connecting,

two spaced parts, comprising a fitting at tached to one of sa1d parts, a stem on sa1d fitting extending lengthwise towards said other part, and a frame swivelled on said stem and to which said other part is secured, said stem having a screw-threaded connection with said frame to move in the direction of the length of said stem, whereby said cured by means permitting its attachment thereto at different points, and said frame and its'attached part being adjustable to wards and from said other part by turning said threaded stem relatively to said first part.

11. An adjustable buckle for connecting two spaced parts, comprising a fitting at tached to one of said parts, a stem on said fitting extending lengthwise towards said other part and which has a screw, threaded engagement with said fitting for adjustment HENRY P. BALTZER. 

